Things to Do

In Manchester

Discover Things to Do in Manchester

Steps Away from the Palace Hotel

A perfectly placed hotel and event venue, the Palace Hotel is close to many of Manchester’s attractions and things to do, while offering a peaceful haven to relax after all the sightseeing.

If you love theatre, you’ll love our location, right in the heart of Manchester’s extensive entertainment scene, opposite the Palace Theatre and close to the Opera House and Royal Exchange. The hotel is also close to Manchester Central and is just a 20 minute walk from the MEN Arena.

Events at the Palace Hotel

As one of the largest cities in England, you’ll find lots of things to do in Manchester. From arts and culture, sports, shopping and a vibrant nightlife, Manchester’s got it all.

Watch a Football Match

Manchester is home to two premier league football clubs. Manchester United F.C. is one of the most popular football teams in the world, playing at Old Trafford (also known as The Field of Dreams), a stadium that can seat just over 75,000 fans. If you plan on attending a game, buying tickets in advance is highly recommend, especially when Manchester plays against their rival teams – like Manchester City F.C., who play at Etihad Stadium.

Marvel at the Manchester Cathedral

The Manchester Cathedral is an impressive building, and is the widest church in England. The Cathedral is open to the public for services as well as daily tours. Be sure to check out the picturesque stained glass windows.

Shopping In The Millennium Quarter

For the best in upmarket shopping, head to Manchester’s Millennium Quarter. The area is home to two of the best department stores in the country. Selfridges has five floors including a delectable food hall, filled with all sorts of of delicious treats. And Harvey Nichols is just across the street and a firm favourite with fashion addicts due to its mix of high end fashion brands.

Explore the Runway Visitor Park

It may seem surprising to some that you could have a day of relaxation at the airport, but it’s truly possible at the Manchester Airport. The Airport has created a Runway Visitor Park, where spectators can come bring a picnic, stretch out on the lawn and have a clear view of the planes as they take off. Aircraft tours are also available, including the British Airways flagship, the Concorde G-BOAC.

Take In a Performance At The O2 Apollo

Enjoy an intimate performance experience at the O2 Apollo Manchester. The ornate, art deco auditorium has been around since 1938. Seating only 3,500, this theatre allows you to get up close to the performers, and the acoustics are phenomenal. In addition to concerts, many comedy acts perform here.

Visit The Imperial War Museum North

The facade of the Imperial War Museum North (IWM) is impressive, and even more so are the exhibits housed within it. The IWM traces the impact war has had on the country from the First World War, to present day. Walking through the museums, you learn about the lives of soldiers, factory workers, and anyone who would have been deeply impacted by the war. The collection includes author J.R.R. Tolkien’s revolver from WWI, fragments of the Berlin Wall, and pieces of steel from the World Trade Centers in New York.

There are so many free things to see and do in Manchester that visiting the city doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Save a few pounds by checking out these sights:

Explore The City With An Audio Tour

Walk Talk Tours provides free, downloadable audio tours of Manchester. Because the walks are self-guided, you can do the tour at your own pace. The two hour walk will take you past many of the city’s most popular sights.

Browse Through John Rylands Library

Part of the University of Manchester, the John Rylands Library is one of area’s top attractions, and it’s free to enter. The stunning neo-gothic building is home to thousands of books and manuscripts, including first edition Shakespeares, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible and more.

Stroll Along the Canals of Castlefield

The area of Castlefield has been classified as an Urban Heritage Park. In AD 79, this area was the home of the Roman Fort Mamucium, and some of the ruins can still be seen today. Much later, in the 1700’s came the world’s first industrial canal, Bridgewater Canal. Today, visitors and local Mancunians head to the park to walk along these canals. There are many pubs and restaurants in Castlefield worth popping into for a pint.

Visit Town Hall

Manchester’s Town Hall is one of most beautiful buildings in the city. Started in 1868 and completed in 1877, it is an incredible neo-gothic building that is a must-see for any fan of Victorian architecture. And it really come of life at Christmas with the area around the Town Hall transforming into one of the best UK festive markets, filled with all kinds of gifts and goodies and plenty of wine.

Thinking about bringing your children to Manchester? Go for it – there are lots of things to do in Manchester with kids and the city is a surprisingly family friendly UK break.

The Museum Of Science And Transport

Popular with adults and children alike, the Museum of Science and Transport (often shortened to MOSI) has exhibits that will keep your kids occupied for hours. At the Museum, you’ll be able to crawl through Victorian sewers, experience a 4D movie, try out experiments in the Science Centre, learn about the newest 3D printing technologies and more. Best of all, admission is free!

Get Creative At LEGOLAND

The indoor LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the perfect place to bring kids on rainy days. Children can run around, explore, and play with their favorite LEGO toys. On the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, you become a knight who has to laser zap enemies in order to save the day. During the Factory Tour, kids learn how LEGO’s are made and even help create new LEGO pieces.

Become A Spy And Solve A Mystery

Begin the mission by downloading the Manchester Spy Mission Treasure Trail, and head to Castlefield. The mystery will only be solved when children correctly answer a list of clues. These clues are hidden all around the buildings of Manchester, so not only do kids have a lot of fun running around, but they also get to learn about the city in a fun way.

Go Skydiving Indoors

Adventurous kids will love the experience of skydiving, in a safe, indoor environment. Airkix has wind tunnels that simulate the same feeling you would get from jumping out of a plane. It’s so safe that children as young as four years old are allowed to give it a go. This is a very popular activity with kids in Manchester so it’s recommend to visit at off-peak hours to avoid a long queue.

Visit With A Dinosaur

The Manchester Museum has many incredible galleries and exhibits, but none are more popular with kids than Stan, the T. Rex. Stan is a dinosaur fossil that was found in the Badlands of America. Thanks to a new program, Talking with Statues, Stan now speaks. Kids love stopping by to listen to the friendly dinosaur when they visit. A cousin of the T.Rex, Gorgosaurus, is the newest dinosaur fossil at the museum.

Learn More About Things to Do in Manchester

Interested in learning more about Manchester, the Palace Hotel, or the things to do close by? Please get in touch – we’re on hand to help you plan the best trip possible!